| Giant Plated Lizard | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Sauria |
| Family: | Gerrhosauridae |
| Genus: | Gerrhosaurus |
| Species: | G. validus |
| Binomial name | |
| Gerrhosaurus validus |
|
The Giant Plated Lizard (Gerrhosaurus validus) is a lizard of the gerrhosauridae family, chiefly found in open, rocky, dry habitats in southern Africa.
Species Gerrhosaurus validus
A large lizard with a flattened head and body, its length is a maximum of 75 cm (30 inches). The soles of the feet have black rubber-like balls, an adaptation to living on rock outcrops. They are called plated lizard because their scales go over the back in one big line that looks like plates.[1] These lizards are very shy and hard to approach. When threatened, they will jam themselves in rock crevices (aided by their flattened body) and inflate with air, making it impossible to extricate them.
They are omnivorous, consuming a fair amount of plant matter in addition to insects and even baby tortoises. They also tend to form loose colonies.[2]